On December 12 and 13th, 2008, critically acclaimed folklore ensemble Kardeş Türküler, together with the Istanbul Armenian choir Sayat Nova and the BGST dance troupe, made a historic visit to Armenia. In this first time-ever of performances given by musicians from Turkey on Armenian soil, the ensemble dedicated its program to Hrant Dink. At the centerpiece of the program was a new piece for Kardes Türküler by Michael Ellison written in memoriam for the slain intellectual and jouırnalist Dink, with words in Armenian, Kurdish and Turkish, conducted by the composer. The premiere of Güverçinlere Dokunmazlar (They don’t harm pigeons) took place at Aram Khachaturian Concert Hall, Opera House, Erivan, Armenia, December 12, 2008 and the program was repeated the next day in Vanadzor in the Western Caucauses mountains near Gyumri.
Michael Ellison 